Washington, D.C.—From June 1-5, the American Association of
State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) will welcome 33 senior administrators
in higher education to its 19th Millennium Leadership
Initiative (MLI) Institute, a premier leadership development program. In
addition to enriching preparation, MLI helps vice presidents and provosts
become more competitive for placement as a president/chancellor at an
institution of higher education. The institute will be held in Washington, D.C.
“Key to developing a robust leadership pipeline in higher
education is providing potential leaders the tools they need to advance their
careers,” says MLI Director Mary Evans Sias. “The next generation of higher
education leaders must have a solid understanding of the complex issues and
challenges facing college and university presidents today. To that end, our
protégé’s will pair with professional coaches—experienced college and
university presidents—to complete a related project at their home
institutions.”
On Saturday, June 2, Cheryl
D. Dozier—president of Savannah State University (Ga.), chair of the MLI Executive
Steering Committee, and a 2010 MLI graduate—will deliver the opening general
session address, “So You Think You Want to be a University President…The Truth
and Nothing but the Truth About What You Will Be Facing…and Why It’s Worth It.”
Later that afternoon, Randy Swing, a
higher education consultant, will deliver “Masterful Jugging in Times of Change: Leading Student Success and College
Value,” in a session sponsored by Strada Education Network.
Session panelists will offer insight into Title IX and
campus accountability on Sunday, June 3. Following the discussion, protégés
will hear from Steve Turner, president
of Northeastern State University (Okla.), and senior staff from TIAA about what
presidents need to know about financial management. To close the day, Fayneese Miller, president of Hamline University (Minn.) and a 2009 MLI graduate,
will deliver the Marie McDemmond Distinguished Presidential Lecture.
On Monday, June 4, Dr. Mildred García,
president of AASCU, and Scott Jaschik,
editor of Inside Higher Ed, will
discuss growing questions around free speech on college campuses and the
erosion of state support of higher education, respectively. Protégés will also hear
from Andrea Warren-Hamos, vice president
for consulting operations and senior consultant at Academic Search,
about the presidential search process and how to interview effectively.
In addition to extensive media training and one-on-one
sessions with advisors, protégés will learn the basics of executive contracts,
credential preparation, and how to work with trustees. The protégés will also
visit Capitol Hill for scheduled meetings with their congressional
representatives, and will hear firsthand experiences of new and experienced
college and university presidents.
MLI was established in 1998 to assist
individuals (largely African-Americans, women and other minorities) from groups
seriously underrepresented at exclusive leadership levels at colleges and
universities. Due to rapidly shifting demographics in higher education, there
was a clear need for diversity within these critical leadership roles to match
the changing diversity of the student population. Today, MLI continues to
maintain its historical preferences while accepting any qualified candidate.
MLI celebrates its 20th
anniversary in July.
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The
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
(AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of
more than 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members
share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment
to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and
creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural
development. These are institutions Delivering America’s Promise of
Opportunities for All.